How to deal with root knot nematodes in tomato farm

Target Crops

Tomato vegetables, peppers,  carrots and lots of other vegetable crops. Tomato vegetables are moderately prone to root knot nematodes.

Where to find 

All over the world, in warm temperate climates

Brief info

Root knot nematodes are small eelworms living in soil and be plant parasites once they use tomato roots as their nurseries. Usually nematodes enter tomato roots through plant’s small injuries.With the increase of number of nematodes, healthy plant’s roots are destroyed, and twisty galls to take their place.

Bad influence

Plants grow progressively, in erratic spurts, and they’re dwarfed wide. In situation you uncover a troubled tomato, numerous swellings and galls are apparent within the roots. Because root knot nematodes don’t move for long distance within the soil without farmer’s help, neighboring plants might be infected while individuals inside the finish within the row stay healthy.

How to prevent

Tomato vegetables and peppers are moderately prone to root knot nematodes, because they live in the same hot summer climate. Good crop rotations prevent nematode build up in a number of gardens, but root knot nematodes might be inevitable in sandy soils in warm climates. Numerous resistant varieties can be found in both tomato and pepper. Regularly amend soil with materials which have chitin, for example sea food meal, eggshells, shrimp hulls or chitosan series products. Within the soil, these products feed microorganisms that chow lower on chitin, including nematode eggs.

Managing application

Pull-up badly infected tomato vegetables, lop within the roots, and get rid of the roots within the trash. Compost the remainder. Mark the region the troubled plants elevated, and don’t grow tomato vegetables, peppers, okra or carrots there again. If tomato or is slightly infected, they may make a crop if a deep covering is used to let the rhizosphere region cool and moist.